The Schoen Foundation gives $2.5M to elevate two important Clemson programs
With strong family ties to both Clemson University and the United States military, the Schoen Foundation was founded by Sharon Schoen and the late Bill Schoen. It is now guided by their daughter, Karen Schoen Sutton, and family. Though a University of Florida graduate, Karen joined the Clemson Family through marriage to Jack “Jay” Sutton Jr. ’84. The Schoen Foundation is a multigenerational, family-led foundation committed to making a difference in education and veterans’ causes.
$1.25 million of the commitment will provide financial support to the Office of Military & Veteran Engagement, focusing on efforts to increase career readiness and mental health programming for Clemson’s veteran and military-connected students. An additional $1.25 million will support student-athlete development, concentrating on enhancing leadership skills, networking opportunities and empowering confidence for Clemson female student-athletes.
“We are incredibly grateful to the Schoen Foundation for their outstanding commitment and generosity to Clemson University,” said President Jim Clements. “Our University core values of integrity, respect, diversity, patriotism, excellence and self-reliance are at the heart of this amazing gift.”
“The Schoen Foundation’s support will help elevate these two programs, enabling us to serve even more veterans and military-connected students and expand the leadership opportunities for student-athletes,” said Brian O’Rourke, vice president of Advancement.
Schoen Foundation’s support of the Office of Military & Veteran Engagement
Clemson serves more than 1,400 student veterans and military-connected students, and the support of these unique students has grown tremendously since the inception of the Office of Military & Veteran Engagement in 2016.
The Schoen Foundation is passionate about assisting veterans and military-connected students in their transition to Clemson. With a desire to create a holistic student experience, they are investing to expand career readiness, well-being programs and Veterans Affairs benefits assistance among these students.
Schoen Foundation supports POWER
In line with the Schoen Foundation’s impact mission, education and opportunity are at the forefront of their gift that will be a game-changer for a key initiative in Clemson Athletics’ Student-Athlete Development program: POWER Women’s Leadership Academy. During the 50th year of varsity women’s athletics at Clemson, the Schoen Foundation’s support will make a transformational impact on female student-athletes.
A new cohort of female student-athletes is chosen each year to join POWER after a rigorous interview and selection process. During the year, cohort members learn and practice leadership throughout a curriculum culminating in an annual trip where student-athletes exercise their leadership praxis in professional settings.
The generosity of the Schoen Foundation will ensure the success of female student-athletes at Clemson for many years to come.
